La Leche League of Central Houston

04/02/2026

03/03/2026

🚨 Recent research is challenging the CDC's strict guidelines on breast milk storage—especially for partially used bottles after feeding.

The CDC currently recommends using or discarding leftover breast milk within 1–2 hours after a baby finishes feeding from the bottle, to limit bacterial risks.

A 2026 German study (preprint on medRxiv, with 44 healthy full-term infants) tested this directly by measuring bacterial growth in leftover human milk after actual bottle feeds.

Main findings:

• Bacterial levels rose after feeding due to contact with the baby's mouth, but showed no meaningful further increase at 4 hours or 8 hours—whether kept at room temperature (~20°C) or refrigerated (4°C).

• Significant growth appeared only after 24 hours at room temperature.

• Refrigerated leftover milk stayed low-risk and stable for up to 24 hours.

For healthy, full-term babies, this suggests it's generally safe to:

• Refrigerate a partially used bottle and reuse it within 24 hours, or

• Leave it at room temperature for up to 8 hours when needed.

Unused pumped milk also proved more stable than the CDC's 4-hour room-temperature rule, with very little bacterial growth even up to 24 hours in many cases, consistent with other recent studies.

The current guidelines are understandably cautious, especially for preterm infants, NICU babies, or those with health issues, who should stick to stricter rules and check with a doctor.

For most parents with healthy babies, though, this new evidence provides real relief: less wasted breast milk, fewer stressful discards, and guidelines that better match actual safety data and everyday feeding life.

🔗 Full preprint: https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.02.13.26346179v1.full-text

02/24/2026

New Meeting Location!

02/20/2026

Stay tuned for a location announcement!

05/10/2025

Lactoferrin is a protein which has been found to inhibit the growth of some cancerous cells. Not content with that, it does some other incredible stuff too.

It binds itself to the iron in our kids’ system, and helps our little ones to absorb the iron. Whilst it’s there, it also prevents harmful bacteria and other micro-organisms from consuming that iron, which they need in order to survive.

Lactoferrin also kills the bacteria streptococcus mutans which can cause serious infections, and causes tooth decay and cavities. This does not mean that breastfed children can’t get cavities. Other factors, such as genetics, play a role.

But there is no evidence that breastfeeding causes cavities or decay, despite what some dentists tell distraught mothers. In fact, there is evidence that breastfeeding up to 12 months reduces the risk of tooth decay.

Lactoferrin also inhibits infection by Hepatitis B and C, Cytomegalovirus (Herpes family), Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), the common cold, Poliovirus, Enterovirus (diarrhoea virus, which can be fatal if severe), and others.

Again, this doesn’t mean that our kids will never contract any of these. But it does mean that the severity is likely to be lessened, if they do.

There’s a whole superhero film to be made about Lactoferrin. But the real star of that movie is you, mama.

Find more astonishing stuff about breastmilk, alongside references, on our website https://human-milk.com/pages/science-of-breastmilk

02/23/2025

"Breastmilk Production✨⁠
It is so important for women to have an understanding of how our breasts make milk. ⁠
💛Our breasts contain clusters of cells called “Alveoli”. Milk production occurs within those cells. ⁠
💛After birth our brain releases Oxytocin and Prolactin when we birth the placenta, and baby snuggles with us and begins nursing.⁠
💛The receptors inside the “Alveoli” pick up on the Prolactin and then begin producing milk within themselves! ⁠
💛When baby breastfeeds, Oxytocin is released which squeezes the Alveoli and causes milk to come down get out through our milk ducts. This is often referred to as a “let-down”.⁠
⁠
✨Pretty amazing, huh? ✨ ⁠
⁠
💛As we continue our breastfeeding journey our milk supply becomes more driven on supply and demand. 💛When the Alveoli are filled with milk they change shape which stop them from being receptive to Prolactin. But when the cells empty during breastfeeding or pumping, they go back to their regular shape and this allows Prolactin to re-enter and signal them to make more milk! This is the science behind why we often remind women that empty breasts make milk faster!